Heat Emergency First Aid: What to Do (and What Not To Do)

Heat emergencies (heat exhaustion, heat stroke) require immediate action:

• DO: Call 911. Move to cool/shaded area. Remove excess clothing. Cool rapidly: cold water immersion (best), ice packs to neck, axillae, groin, cool wet sheets + fan. Monitor core temperature if possible. Give cool fluids if conscious and not vomiting.
• DON'T: Use ice packs alone without water immersion for heat stroke (less effective). Give fever reducers (acetaminophen/NSAIDs) — they don't work on heat stroke and may harm liver. Force fluids if altered mental status. Delay cooling for transport.

Heat stroke (core >40°C + CNS dysfunction) is a medical emergency; minutes matter. Exertional heat stroke in athletes: cold water immersion on-site before transport.